Stock market on December 12: S&P 500 and NASDAQ mixed

[Ben Graham]

Yesterday, stock indices closed mixed. The S&P 500 rose by 0.21%, while the Nasdaq 100 fell by 0.25%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged by 1.34%.

Global stock indices reached new records as the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut this week and its optimistic assessment of the US economy boosted investor sentiment. The MSCI All Country World Index, one of the broadest indicators of the stock market, increased by 0.2% after closing at a historic high in the previous session.

The S&P 500 also hit a new weekly peak, while the volatility index (VIX) declined to a three-month low. The MSCI Asian stock index surged by 1.3%, nearing its highest level in a month. The yield on 10-year Treasury bonds remained stable after a slight rise on Thursday when data showed that US initial jobless claims for the week ending December 6 increased more than expected.

The positive sentiment is expected to persist through the end of the year. With interest rates declining, the upcoming appointment of a new Fed chair, and rising profits, the bull market appears set to continue into 2026. As more companies adopt AI, participation in this sector is expected to broaden, pulling along industries beyond the Magnificent Seven.

Although the S&P 500 rose by 0.2% on Thursday, there remained a degree of caution regarding tech companies. Shares of Broadcom Inc., a chipmaker competing with Nvidia Corp. for AI computing revenues, fell in late trading after its sales forecast failed to meet inflated investor expectations. The Japanese Topix index led gains in Asia, reaching an all-time high, with the financial sector experiencing the highest demand amid assumptions that an interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan next week is virtually inevitable. Meanwhile, Chinese stocks fell after the country's leadership signaled that it would maintain economic support but refrain from ramping up stimulus measures next year.

It is worth mentioning that on Wednesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell, announcing the third consecutive rate cut, expressed optimism regarding the strengthening US economy as the inflationary impact of tariffs eases. While officials maintained a forecast of only one rate cut in 2026, traders are still leaning toward two.

In commodity markets, copper reached a new record level on Friday. Most other industrial metals also rose following the Fed's decision. Gold remained stable after three days of gains, and silver traded near its all-time high. Oil prices increased from their lowest closing level in nearly two months.

Regarding the technical picture of the S&P 500, the main task for buyers today will be to overcome the nearest resistance level of $6,914. This will help the index gain ground and pave the way for a potential rally to a new level at $6,930. Another priority for bulls will be to maintain control over the $6,946 mark, which would strengthen buyers' positions. In the event of a downward movement amid reduced risk appetite, buyers must assert themselves around $6,896. A break below that level would quickly drive the trading instrument back to $6,874 and open the way to $6,854.

The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com